Larkin should retire when his stats and his conscience tell him it's time. Right now, both are saying, "Play on, man." He's a proud man who wanted to finish his career with an arm around his shoulder instead of a palm in his back. Maybe not even Larkin knew it would work out this well.

I don't see what the big deal is. Do the Reds have a shortstop in the minors we don't know about? Is ownership planning some mega-trade to bring in a shortstop who's playing as well as Larkin? Cincinnati is almost as good at developing shortstops as it is at developing starting pitching. And we all know how well that's worked out.

Maybe Midland's got a kid coming through. Maybe Moeller star Andrew Brackman can put his pitching arm to better use. Maybe when Larkin retires, really retires, the Reds could send out to shortstop a 6-foot-tall Cardboard Cutout Man bearing uniform No. 11.

Barry Larkin smiles and points into the stands after the Reds beat the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park last week. (Jeff Swinger photo)

Larkin should play until he can't. What Ol' Man (Ohio) River is doing now, at age 40, is building his Hall of Fame case. This is his 12th All-Star Game, to go along with the 2,310 hits, 194 homers and 379 stolen bases he has in his career.

Those are Hall of Fame numbers right now.

If the ol' fella manages to drag his Ben-Gay bod out on the field for at least 100 games this year, he'll be the first 40-year-old shortstop to do that in 55 years. Roll that around your fantasy league head. No shortstop over 40 since Luke Appling in 1949, at age 42, has played in at least 100 games in a year. Not Ozzie, not Cal, not Phil Rizzuto, not Luis Aparicio.

Alex Rodriguez won't be playing short at 40 unless it's in an old-timers' game on Aruba. He's not playing short now.

Barry Larkin is a man among boys in the Reds' clubhouse. I'd argue he's more important to the 2004 Reds than anyone else you can name. Whether you appreciate his PC responses to delicate questions, or the back-room maneuvering he's capable of when he wants things changed, you cannot question Larkin's integrity, leadership, citizenship and commitment. His presence is unchallenged. He is a pro's pro.

Why should a guy like that retire?

There is a chance, as good as decent, that something will happen between now and Oct. 2, Larkin's heretofore Last Day, that will make it all moot. Larkin has the body of a teenager, but he's playing the most demanding position on the field, beyond catcher. Let's see what the pre-dog and dog days of July and August do to his legs and his want-to. It ain't easy playing ball at 40. Not the way Barry Larkin is accustomed to playing it.

For now, play on. Un-retire before you get the gold watch. I was surprised it wasn't an issue before now. Larkin should play shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds until his stats and his conscience tell him he shouldn't. He earned that right. A very long time ago.

Now, about the Ol' Left-hander ...

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